Flower gardener of river park, 85, dies

RUTH ANDREWS

The familiar sight of flowers growing at the entrance to the Anderson River Park on Rupert Road was the responsibility and passion of Ruth Drinkard Andrews, who planted the flowers each year for the last twenty years. Andrews died Jan. 30, 2009, in Redding, but lived next to the river park since 1980.

Her passing was noted during Anderson City Council meeting on Feb. 2 by Councilman Keith Webster.

"She took on the task of planting all the beautiful flowers along the boatramp, in the median upon entering the park, and the veterans garden area," Director of Anderson Parks and Recreation Ken Hartman said. "She spent hours cleaning the area."

While she spent her own money to plant the flowers, she eventually received seed donations when her efforts were publicized.

Additionally, Andrews harvested the seeds of her sunflowers for wild animal feed at Turtle Bay in Redding.

She and her husband, Reuben, who died in February 2008, were frequent sights at the park, Webster said

"She loved that place," said her daughter, Joan Andrews. "She and dad used to walk all over the park almost every day."

Aside from visiting the river park, Andrews made several huge afghans, her daughter said. A lifelong homemaker, she also made her own clothes, as she was never taller than 4'10", her daughter added.

Ruth Andrews grew up in Coos Bay, Ore. before moving to Washington D.C., where she worked as a typist at the Pentagon during World War II. She met her husband Reuben, and they retired to Michigan, where they raised their three children, Alan, Ore.; Leon, Redding; and Joan, Fremont.